The Wiltshire-based rider was recovering from a broken leg as the series unfolded
British motorcycle racer, Max Symonds, competes in British Superbike’s National Superstock category on his Yamaha R1. The rider also won Castle Combe Circuit’s coveted NG Road Racing ‘King of Combe’ race in 2023.
Following various pre-season test days around Europe, Symonds was raring to get his 2024 campaign underway at the debutant round at Oulton Park. Despite a bad crash and a fairly serious injury sustained in testing, Max was determined to keep racing.
Read how he got on in the first two rounds in his team’s own words below…
“Having to race the first two rounds of the British Superbike National Superstock season with a fractured Tibia wasn’t part of the plan, but that’s bike racing!”
Oulton Park
“An unfortunate crash on the test day ahead of round one left the team with a bike to fix and Max with a fractured tibia. The remainder of the test day was abandoned whilst the bike and rider were repaired and we regrouped and reset ahead of the race weekend.
“Having missed out on most of the test, it was a case of playing catch-up over the weekend test sessions and qualifying. Max and the team worked well to get the bike setup dialled in with the limited track time available and made the most of the EBC Brakes Racing GPFAX pads and X-Series floating discs to achieve a new personal best time and qualify 26th.
“Whilst this wasn’t where the team wanted to be starting the race, given how things had gone up to that point getting it was an achievement in itself!”
Max’s overview of the race:
“The race was tough physically; the further I got through the race, the more I struggled to control the bike and not being able to use my leg as normal meant that I overworked my upper body and got arm pump about halfway through.
“It was a hectic battle with 6+ riders involved at times. I stuck with it the best I could and put the new EBC Brakes Racing GPFAX pads and X-Series floating discs to use making a overtake in the last corner on the last lap to finish in P24.”
Donington Park
“After the rough start at Oulton, it was great to have a weekend’s rest ahead of Round 2 at Donington Park. Although still feeling the effects of the crash, Max was in a much better condition than at round one.
“Unfortunately, qualifying didn’t quite go to plan, with the first few laps on a new tyre being interrupted by slower riders. Max kept his head down and managed to put a new personal fastest time in on the last lap of the session to line up P23 for the race.”
Max’s overview of the race:
“’This race felt a lot better than Oulton, I got a good start and was able to put the EBC Brakes Racing GPFAX pads and X-Series floating discs to good use making a number of overtakes in the early laps.
“Once the race settled down, it was all about hitting my markers and making consistent laps to put myself in a good position come the end of the race. I was able to do just that and once again made a final corner overtake, this time for P18.’
“The team now have a bit of time to rest, regroup and carry out some testing ahead of the next round at Snetterton.”
GPFAX Pads
EBC’s GPFAX Sintered Race Brake Pads are for RACE ONLY use. This is a blend of brake pad that has higher friction and far better grip than any other brake product on the market.
X-Series Floating Discs
Since their introduction, EBC’s ultra-lightweight floating motorcycle rotors have become one of the worlds best selling lightest and best performing discs available for all modern sport bikes.
